Apple's iOS 15 update added a host of new features to the iPhone. One of the new features available on the iPhone is a dedicated section named Parts and Service History. With it, you can see whether your iPhone battery, display, and camera have ever been repaired. If they have, it will tell whether the repair center used genuine parts.

And if you're considering buying a second-hand iPhone, the Parts and Service History section is where you can check if the device has ever been repaired. Here's how to see your iPhone's Parts and Service History in iOS 15.

What Is Parts and Service History in iOS 15?

Parts and Service History details the repair history of the most commonly serviced modules on an iPhone. These parts include the battery, camera, and display, all of which are most vulnerable to damage and wear and tear.

The feature aims to provide details on whether the mentioned parts in your iPhone have either been replaced or aren't functioning properly.

If, for instance, your camera has been replaced, Parts and Service History will show you whether the repair center used genuine Apple parts. This information should also come in handy when buying a second-hand iPhone.

iPhones With Parts and Service History

iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max featured

Despite being a useful feature, not all iOS 15-compatible iPhones have access to Parts and Service History. Only the recent iPhones have access to the feature. And even for supported iPhones, you won't get access to the same information across the board.

Here are the supported iPhones and their coverage:

  • iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and iPhone SE 2020 (Only includes battery replacement information).
  • iPhone 11 series (Includes battery and display replacement information).
  • iPhone 12 and 13 series (Includes battery, display, and camera replacement information).

To get the most, you'll need to have at least the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13. This is not surprising, though, as hardware might be the limiting factor. Also, Parts and Service History is not the only feature in iOS 15 that's not available on older iPhones.

Read More: Features in iOS 15 That Don't Work on Older iPhones

How to See Your iPhone's Parts and Service History

Besides the hardware requirements, you also need to meet some software requirements. If you have any of the listed iPhones, be sure to upgrade to at least iOS 15.2 to access Parts and Service History.

You can check for updates by opening the Settings app > General > Software Update to download and install the latest version of iOS. We have a simple guide on how to find out what version of iOS is running on your iPhone, in case you're not sure.

Once you have the requirements, here's how to check your iPhone's parts and service history:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General > About.
  3. Look for Parts and Service History. You will see the replaced part and a corresponding message.

Don't panic if you can't find the Parts and Service History section. The option is only shown when either the battery, display, or camera isn't functioning as expected or has been replaced.

You will see different messages in the Parts and Service History section.

What the Different Messages in Parts and Service History Mean

Parts and Service History displays two different messages next to the replaced part. Genuine Apple Part implies that the replacement was done using a genuine part.

Another message that you might see is Unknown Part, which can mean one of three things. The new part is either not genuine, was already used on another iPhone, or isn't functioning as expected.

Sure, warning messages won't affect how you use your iPhone, but you should always use genuine parts.

Related: Here's Why You Should Avoid Non-Genuine Parts in Your iPhone

Parts and Service History Limitations

Apple Self Service Repair Featured

Despite being a good idea, Parts and Service History has its limitations. For one, it's not available to all iOS 15-compatible devices. Secondly, not all supported iPhones have access to the same information. As shown above, you'll need the most recent iPhones to get the most out of the feature.

Parts and Service History will only show the most recent repair details if your iPhone battery, display, or camera has been replaced more than once.

Lastly, Parts and Service History is tied to your iPhone's serial number. While this is fine, the limitation is that if your iPhone's serial number is changed during repair, you'll only see the parts and history service associated with the new number.

Check Whether Your Replaced iPhone Parts Are Genuine Apple Parts

iOS 15's Parts and Service History is a much welcome feature that will make it easy for you to check if your iPhone has genuine parts after a repair. While the feature has its limitations, it does provide useful details, especially if you're in the market for a second-hand iPhone.

However, we should see the issue of non-genuine parts become less rampant as Apple's Self Service Repair program takes off.